... in response to Fares to Odessa, posted by chuck12 on Feb 10, 2003

Round trip for the Month of March will be around $1400. That is from Chicago to Warsaw to Odessa. Late march the rate increases some. Contact the airline directly (LOT and American Airlines) (www.lot.com). I have gotten the cheapest fares directly through them, rather than using any travel agent. LOT airlines has the most direct flights into Odessa. You are paying for it, because of the lack of competition in Odessa.

Another option would be using KLM and Northwest to travel to Kiev, then take the train or domestice flight to Odessa for $30-$100. But when I called for a March flight with KLM to Kiev from Chicago, I was only saving $200. Better to just use LOT.

I asked why rates doubled in the past year, and of course got the answer "because of 9-11, a lot has changed". Most fares you purchase in USA seem to have an added price premium.

Another way to save money. If you speak good russian, call the LOT office in Odessa (tele # from USA 011-380-487-312-880) and order your ticket that way, or have a trusted friend purchase the ticket for you. If you call, keep trying as it is busy often because they use dial up internet, and are on the internet most of the business day. I was able to purchase a round trip ticket in Odessa for $785, and it is the exact same route and schedule that I was being charged $1400 for when I called thier Chicago office.

MNKenr

... in response to Fares to Odessa, posted by chuck12 on Feb 10, 2003

I like Panorama travel based out of NYC for travel to Ukraine.  I think the way to go is Austrian Air going via Vienna.  If I remember correctly it is usually about $200 more to Odessa.  The number is 1-212-741-0033 ext. 107 for Katerina Krasnobaev.  She is from Ukraine.  There are other agents from Ukraine as well as Russia.  I like working with Katerina because she is patient and I could go through every possible trip iteration with her without her getting angry.  You can email info@panoramatravel.com

... in response to Re: Re: Fares to Odessa, posted by chuck12 on Feb 10, 2003

Let me know how competitive they are these days.  I am flying from NY to Moscow, Moscow to Novosibirsk, Novosibirsk to St. Petersburg and returning from Moscow to New York.  The total is $905 including tax etc.  I fly Delta on the New York to Moscow and Moscow to New York run.  I fly Aeroflot to Novosibirsk.  I fly Poltava (hmmm??) to St. Petersburg.  I will be taking an overnight train from St. Petersburg to Moscow with the help of Jack of Firstdream (cost unknown at this time, though I do not suspect to be excessive).  However, I am travelling from the end of February to mid-March - I do not recommend flying then unless you have to.  The travel agency I used was National Academy based out of Washington, DC.  Since it is business I had no choice.  However, I believe that was still a decent price.  I have found them to be competitive.  However, the best prices I always find are through the New York City ticket wholesalers.  There are alot - many seem shady - but I have not been ripped off yet.  Panorama is a high class operation that because of the amount of the shear bulk of tickets they sell are able to give very competitive prices.  I do not work for them - and highly recommend you get the best price with the caveat that you get the MOST DIRECT FLIGHT POSSIBLE (saves alot of lost baggage worries as well as missed flight hassles).